IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


I.I 


^12^     |2.5 

50     ■^"        ■■■ 


us 

tii 


H:    ti^    12.0 


1.25  ■  1.4 


1.8 


7: 


7 


Photogispbic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4S03 


^^ 


\ 


\ 


\ 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
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copy  which  may  be  bibliographically  unique, 
which  may  alter  any  of  the  images  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usub.  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


n 

D 
D 
D 
D 
D 

n 
□ 


D 


D 


Coloiired  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 

Covers  damaged/ 
Couverture  endommagee 

Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaurie  et/ou  pellicul^e 

Cover  title  missing/ 

Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 

Coloured  maps/ 

Cartes  gdographiques  en  couleur 

Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 

Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 
Planches  et/oj  illustrations  en  couleur 

Bound  with  other  material/ 
Reli6  avec  d'autres  documents 

Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  ur  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  reliure  serr^e  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  le  long  de  la  marge  intdrieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajoutdes 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte, 
mais,  lorsque  cela  itait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  6t6  filmies. 

Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  suppldmentaires.- 


L'lnstitut  a  microfilm^  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  6t6  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-dtre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  m6thode  normals  de  filmage 
sont  indiqu6s  ci-dessous. 


Th 
to 


I      I    Coloured  pages/ 


Pages  de  couleur 

Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommagdes 

Pages  restored  and/oi 

Pages  restaurdes  et/ou  pellicul6es 

Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxei 
Pages  d^colordes,  tachet^es  ou  piqu^es 


I — I    Pages  damaged/ 

I — I    Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 

I — ~Y  Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 


□Pages  detached/ 
Pages  ddtach^es 

I     1/Showthrough/ 
I    ^   Transparence 

I      I    Quality  of  print  varies/ 


D 


Quality  in^gale  de  I'impression 

Includes  supplementary  material/ 
Comprend  du  materiel  supplementaire 

Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Edition  disponible 


Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  6t6  filmdes  d  nouveau  de  fapon  d 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


Th 
po 
of 
fill 


Or 
bo 
th( 
sir 

oti 
fin 
sic 
or 


Th 
sh 
Til 
wl 

Ml 
dil 
en 
be 
rig 
re< 
m< 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  filmd  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqui  ci-dessous. 

10X  14X  18X  22X 


26X 


30X 


12X 


16X 


20X 


24X 


28X 


32X 


Th«  copy  filmtd  h«r«  hat  b««n  r«produc«cl  thank* 
to  tho  gonorotity  of: 

Library  Diviiion 

Provincial  Archives  of  British  Columbia 


L'oxomplairo  film*  fut  raproduit  gric*  i  la 
gAnArosit*  da: 

Library  Division 

Provincial  Archives  of  British  Coluntbia 


Tha  imagat  appaaring  hara  ara  tha  baat  quality 
poaalbia  conaldaring  tha  condition  and  laglblllty 
of  tha  original  copy  and  In  kaaping  with  th«» 
filming  contract  apacificatlons. 


Laa  imaga*  suivantas  ont  Ati  raprodultas  avac  la 
plus  grand  soin,  compta  tanu  da  la  condition  at 
da  la  nattati  da  i'axamplaira  film*,  at  an 
conformit*  avac  laa  conditions  du  contrat  da 
filmaga. 


Original  copias  in  printad  pap«r  covars  ara  fiimad 
baginning  w^th  tha  front  covar  and  anding  on 
tha  last  paga  with  a  printad  or  iiiustratad  impras- 
sipn.  or  tha  back  covar  whan  appropriata.  All 
othar  original  copias  ara  fiimad  baginning  on  tha 
first  paga  with  a  printad  or  iiiustratad  impras- 
slon.  and  anding  on  tha  last  paga  with  a  printad 
or  iiiustratad  imprasslon. 


Tha  last  racordad  frama  on  aach  microfiche 
shall  contain  tha  symbol  ^^-  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 


Les  exempiaires  orlglnaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprim4e  sont  filmte  en  commen9ant 
par  la  premier  plat  at  en  terminant  solt  par  la 
darnlAre  page  qui  comporte  une  emprelnte 
d'impression  ou  d'!llustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  salon  le  c^s.  Tous  les  autrei  exempiaires 
orlglnaux  sont  filmAs  en  commenpant  par  la 
premiere  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  at  en  terminant  par 
la  darniire  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaitra  sur  la 
darnlAre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  ie  symbols  — ►  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  ie 
symbols  "7  signifie  "FIN". 


Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc..  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  Included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  cartes,  planches,  tabieeux,  etc.,  peuvent  Atre 
film^s  A  des  taux  da  reduction  diff6rents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  Atre 
reproduit  en  un  seui  clichA,  ii  est  film*  A  partir 
de  Tangle  supArieur  gauche,  de  gauche  A  droite. 
et  de  haut  en  bas.  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'imagas  nAcessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mAthode. 


1  2  3 


32X 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

/  !w 


^ 


<2yyoxi/i4vest 
CdUectiorv 


Mj 


THEE 


SPEECH 


OP 


i 


MR.  HILLIARD,  OF  ALABAMA, 


ON 


THE  OREGON  QUESTION, 


DELIVERED  IN 


THE  HOUSE  OF  REPRESENl'ATIVES  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES,  JAN.  6, 1846. 


WASHINGTON: 

J.  4  0.  S.  GIDEON,  PRINTERS. 
1846. 


SPEECH. 


I 


The  Speaker  announced ,  as  the  unfinished  husiness,  the  following  joint 
resolution,  reported  by  Mr.  C.J.  Ingersoll,  from  the  Committee  on  Fo- 
reign Affairs: 

Resolved  by  the  Senate  and  Himse  of  Representatives  of  the  United  States  of  America  in  Congress 
4issemhled,  Thai  the  President  of  the  United  States  forthwith  cause  notice  to  be  given  to  the  Gov- 
•ernment  of  Great  Britain  that  the  Convention  between  the  United  States  and  Great  Britain,  con- 
•cerning  the  Territory  of  Oregon,  of  the  sixth  of  August,  1837,  siened  at  London,  shuU  be  an- 
nulled and  abrogated  twelve  months  after  the  expiration  of  the  said  term  of  notice,  conformably 
to  the  second  article  of  the  said  convention  of  the  sixth  of  August,  1827. 

Mr.  HILLIARD,  being  entitled  to  the  floor,  rose  and  said: 
Mr.  Speaker:  In  entering  upon  the  discussion  of  the  great  question,  at 
present  before  the  House,  it  will  be  proper  for  a  n)oment  to  recur  to  the  his- 
tory of  the  relations  of  the  Government  of  the  United  States  with  that  of 
"G'-eat  Britain  in  regard  to  the  Territory  of  Oregon.  It  is  well  known,  that, 
«.ft«  several  fruitless  attempts  had  been  made  to  aujust  the  difference  be- 
itwet/i  them  in  relation  to  the  sovereignty  of  that  district  of  country,  both 
Powers  had  at  length  agreed  to  adjourn  the  question  over,  and  they  had  mu- 
tually entered  into  the  convention  of  1818,  by  which  treaty  it  was  under- 
stood that  the  two  parties  were  to  enjoy  certain  privileges  in  regard  to  the 
territory,  which  were  clearly  specified  and  defined.  In  the  summer  of 
1827,  when  this  convention  was  about  to  expire,  by  its  own  limitation, 
provision  was  made  to  perpetuate  this  mutual  understanding,  simply  with 
the  purpose  of  preserving  peace  between  the  parties,  and  without  yielding 
^ny  portion  of  the  original  claims  which  had  been  respectively  put  forth. 
It  is  now  proposed  in  this  House  to  terminate  that  convention,  conformably 
to  a  provisional  article  embodied  in  the  instrument  itself. 

Should  that  termination  be  brought  about  as  proposed,  what  will  be  the 
relative  positions  of  this  country  and  of  Great  Britain  in  regard  to  the  Ore- 
;gon  territory?  For  an  answer  to  this  question  we  are  referred  back  to  the 
relation  subsisting  between  them  before  the  convention  was  entered  into. 
That  relation  must,  then,  be  renewed,  and  the  two  nations  will  stand  as 
■conflicting  claimants  before  the  civilized  world  for  the  entire  control  over 
the  whole  territory.  Here,  then,  comes  in  the  question  as  to  our  title — whe- 
ther founded  on  discovery ,  exploration,  and  settlement,  by  our  own  citizens, 
or  resting  on  the  claims  of  Spain ;  for  we  shall  bring  both  our  own  title  and 
the  title  of  Spain  to  fortify  our  position,  when  we  meet  our  competitor  in  the 
presence  of  the  civilized  world.  I  shall  not  enter  on  this  question  of  title. 
It  has  recently  been  exhibited  with  great  ability,  and  I  should  only  render 
luyself  tedious  by  repeating  arguments  which  have  already  been  placed  in 
Ahe  clearest  light.    I  simply  desire  to  say,  that,  on  the  question  of  our  title^ 


15 


1 


H4 


to  Oregon,  I  rely  mainly  on  the  previous  title  of  Spain,  although  I  am  far 
from  underrating  the  merits  of  discoveries  and  settlements  in  that  region  by 
our  own  enterprising  citizens.  1  a(Jniit  these,  and  duly  appreciate  them; 
but,  as  I  have  already  said,  my  main  reliance  is  placed  on  the  Spanish  title 
— a  title  which  we  did  not  possess  at  the  time  our  dispute  with  England 
arose;  for  it  is  my  belief  that,  had  this  title  then  been  ours,  the  convention, 
of  1818  would  never  have  had  an  existence.  So  long  as  this  title  remained 
in  the  hands  of  Spn-n,  Great  Britai»i  treated  it  with  the  contempt  which 
marked  all  her  conduct  towards  mat  Power.  Pitt's  rooted  aversion  to  Spain 
is  well  known;  he  inherited  it  from  his  father,  and  it  made  itself  manifest 
in  all  his  public  conduct,  when  the  occasion  provoked  it;  indeed,  it  was  but 
the  sentiment  of  the  British  nation.  So  that,  although  the  moral  power  of 
that  title  was  as  great  as  it  is  now,  it  was  not  regarded  with  the  respect  which 
was  due  to  it.  That  title  has  been  recently  so  convincingly,  I  may  say, so 
triumphantly,  pleaded  by  our  present  Secretary  of  State,  that  it  must  have 
carried  actual  dismay  into  the  British  cabinet,  and  it  has  certainly  placed 
our  own  claim  to  the  country  upon  more  elevated  and  commanding  ground 
than  it  ever  stood  on  before.  It  is  now  an  Jlmcrican  tnle;  and ,  with  what- 
ever contempt  Great  Britain  might  have  felt  herself  warranted  in  treating 
it  when  in  the  possession  of  Spain  she  will  not  so  treat  it  when  it  is  put 
forth  before  the  world  as  the  claim  of  the  United  States.  I  do  not  speak 
this  boastfully,  bu;  I  desire  that  Great  Britain  shall  know  that  we  compre- 
hend our  rights;  and  I  thank  God  we  are  able  to  maintain  them. 

I  do  not  desire,  sir,  to  be  understood  as  putting  out  of  the  question  our 
own  American  title. 

A  late  Secretary  of  State,  (Mr.  Calhoun,)  whose  fame  is  commensurate 
with  the  extent  of  civilization,  has  placed  the  American  claim  on  Captain 
Gray's  discovery  of  the  mouth  of  the  Columbia  river,  and  on  that  admitted 
principle  of  international  law ,  that,  by  whatsoever  nation  the  mouth  of  a  river 
is  discovered,  to  that  nation  belongs  the  whole  of  the  vallfey  which  is  drained 
by  its  waters.  I  feel  this  claim  to  be  of  great  consequence;  and  I  must 
confess  that  I  1  't  the  greatest  amazement  when, in  the  debate  of  Saturday, 
a  distinguished  gentleman  from  Massachusetts  (Mr.  Winthrop)  disclaimed 
all  reliance  upon  it.  Rich  as  Massachusetts  is— and  I  acknowledge  her  rich 
in  all  that  can  give  elevation  to  a  State — I  do  not  think  her,  however,  in 
circimistances  to  abandon  such  an  honor  as  this  discovery .  The  gentleman, 
came  to  this  House,  as  I  have  understood,  with  a  rich  inheritance  of  ances- 
tral fame,  to  which  he  has  largely  added  in  well-merited  reputation  of  his 
own;  but  if  he  thinks  himself  entitled  to  disclaim  and  cast  away  this  dis- 
covery by  Captain  Gray,  I  will  take  it  up.  If  Massachusetts  cast  him  off, 
I  will  claim  him  for  the  United  ^ates.  The  gentleman  has  said  that  Cap- 
tain Gray ,  as  a  navigator  in  the  waters  of  the  Pacific,  had  no  thought  of  mak- 
ing discoveries  on  behalf  of  his  country,  or  of  adding  anything  to  her 
territorial  claims,  but  had  simply  been  prosecuting  a  little  harmless  trade  in 
fish  and  peltry.  This  may  be  so;  but  still  he  coasted  those  shores  in  a  vessel 
of  his  own,  with  our  national  flag  waving  over  his  head;  in  a  vessel  which, 
according  to  the  doctrine  of  an  eminent  statesman ,  whose  fame  belongs  alike 
to  Massachusetts  and  to  his  whole  country,  was  part  and  parcel  of  the  Ame- 
rican soil. 

Mr.  Webster,  in  his  correspondence  with  Lord  Ashburton,  states  the  doc- 
trine with  great  clearness  and  force. 


It 


v.t 


h  I  am  far 

region  by 

late  them; 

vanish  title 

England 

onvention 

5  remained 

iipt  which 

n  to  Spain 

If  manifest 

it  was  but 

I  power  of 

3ect  which 

lay  say,  so 

must  have 

Illy  placed 

ng  ground 

w^thwhat- 


in 


treating 


1  It  is  put 
not  speak 
e  compre- 

lestion  our 

imensurate 
an  Captain 
U  admitted 
;h  of  a  river 
I  is  drained 
nd  I  must 
'Saturday, 
disclaimed 
ge  her  rich 
owever,  in 
gentleman 
e  of  ances' 
tion  of  his 
y  this  dis- 
ist  him  off, 
1  that  Cap- 
[ht  of  mak- 
ing to  her 
3ss  trade  in 
in  a  vessel 
?sel  which, 
longs  alike 
f  the  Ame- 

es  the  doc- 


"  But, nevertheless,  the  law  of  nations,  as  I  have  slated  it,  and  the  statutes 
^'  of  governments  founded  on  that  law,  as  I  have  referred  to  them,  show  that 
''  enlightened  nations, -in  modern  times,  do  clearly  hold  that  the  jurisdiction 
"  and  laws  of  a  nation  accompany  her  ships,  not  only  over  the  high  seas,  but 
^'  into  ports  and  harbors,  or  wheresoever  else  they  may  be  water-borne,  for 
<'  the  general  purpose  of  governing  and  regulating  the  rights,  duties,  and  obli- 
<<  gatJons  of  those  on  board  thereof;  and  that  to  the  extent  of  the  exercise  of 
''  this  jurisdiction,  they  are  considered  as  parts  of  the  territory  of  the  nation 
^'  herself." 

This  principle,  thus  laid  down ,  is  not  likely  to  be  disputed  hereafter  among 
civihzed  nations;  and  it  results  from  it,  that  while  the  jurisdiction  of  the  na- 
tion silently  accompanies  the  vessel  in  all  its  course,  extending  over  it  sleep- 
less and  efficient  protection,  all  the  discoveries  which  that  vessel  makes  are 
for  the  nation.  It  w^as  in  this  spirit  that  Captain  Gray,  wlieii  in  that  distant 
region  he  entered  the  mouth  of  that  great  stream  whicii  had  never  before 
been  entered  by  any  navigator,  gave  to  it  the  name  of  his  ship — Colimbia 
— thus  identifying  with  it  through  all  time  memories  of  his  country  and  his 
home . 

[Mr.  WiNTHROP  rose  to  explain,  and  the  floor  being  yielded  to  him  for 
that  purpose,  he  went  on  to  say,  that  the  honorable  gendeman  from  Alaba- 
ma seemed  entirely  to  have  misunderstood  him.  So  far  from  disclaiming  or 
casting  away  this  discovery  of  Captain  Uray ,  he  had ,  on  the  contrary ,  expressly 
.said  that  he  considered  it,  after  all,  as  our  best  resort,  and  as  containing  in 
itself  the  best  claim  we  could  show  to  the  possession  of  Oregon;  and  he  had 
added,  that  Massachusetts,  and  especially  the  people  of  Boston,  felt  proud  of 
Gray  as  a  fellow-citizen,  and  of  his  discovery  as  shedding  a  lustre  upon  the 
•city  of  his  birth  and  the  State  of  which  he  was  a  citizen."] 

Mr.  HiLLiARD  resumed,  and  said  he  was  glad  to  be  set  right,  and,  if  he 
had  misapprehended  the  gentleman ,  to  have  that  misapprehension  correct- 
ed.    He  certainly  had  not  intended  to  misrepresent  him. 

[Mr.  VVixTHROP.     Certainly  not.] 

Still,  sir,  it  seems  to  me  that  the  gendeman  attaches  too  little  value  and 
Importance  to  the  title,  of  any  sort,  which  we  hold  to  the  Oregon  country. 
When  Captain  Gray  trod  the  deck  of  his  ship,  having  the  American  col- 
ors at  his  mast-head,  whatever  new  territory  or  river  he  discovered  was  for 
us,  the  people  of  the  United  States.  I  congratulate  Massachusetts  that  one 
of  her  native  born  sons  hds  by  his  enterprise  added  so  much  splendor  to  the 
records  of  early  discovery  on  this  continent.  Honored  be  the  name  of  Gray! 
I  am  prepared  to  stand  by  the  title  of  which  he  has  furnished  so  valuable  an 
element.  As  to  the  gentleman  from  Massachusetts,  (Mr .  Winthrop  ,)  I  can  say 
with  entire  truth,  that  I  greatly  admire  his  spirit  and  bearing;  on  most  points 
■we  entirely  agree;  but  I  cannot  consent  with  the  gentleman,  in  any  degree, 
to  disparage  our  title,  because  it  is  to  be  set  against  that  of  a  powerful  and 
miperious  nation.  I  will  not  yield  a  tittle  of  it.  The  gentleman  talked 
slightingly  about  musty  records.  I  do  not  share  in  this  feeling  ;  I  reverence 
musty  records,  and  hold  them  as  precious.  With  a  musty  record  I  can  up- 
turn the  whole  face  of  human  society.  With  the  musty  record  of  Magna 
Charta  in  my  hand,  I  can  revolutionize  the  face  of  Europe,  if  permitted  to 
present  its  principles  to  the  minds  of  her  population.  I  trust  that  if  the  dust 
of  age  and  neglect  should  ever  gather  on  the  sacred  volume  of  our  donsti- 
itution,  and  there  be  a  descendant  of  mine  on  this  floor,  representing  a  South- 


cm  people  as  I  do,  he  will  be  able  to  call  up  from  that  musty  record  a  moral 
power  potent  enough  to  shield  their  liberties,  and  to  resuscitate  and  bless  the 
condition  of  society  throiitrhoui  this  land. 

On  the  evidence  contained  in  musty  records  I  found  my  belief  that  every 
inch  of  Oregon  is  ours.  I  can  see  no  break  in  our  title  from  latitude  42°  to 
latitude  54°  40' .  I  do  not  say  that  I  would  not  arrange  for  any  portion  of 
the  territory  lying  between  those  parallels.  It  is  not  for  me  to  make  any 
such  arrangement.  That  power  has  been  placed  by  the  Constitution  in  the 
hands  of  another  branch  of  this  (:»overnment.  It  is  altogether  proper  that 
the  President  should  regard  all  the  great  interests  of  the  countiy  in  adjust- 
ing a  difficult  national  question.  I  am  not  disposed  to  disturb  his  functions.. 
I  do  not  wish  to  commit  the  House  on  that  point.  But  I  hold  our  title  to 
be  so  clear  ar.d  so  capable  of  demonstration ,  that  but  for  the  colossal  power 
of  Great  Britain,  and  the  haughtiness  with  which  she  has  been  accustomed 
to  treat  all  other  nations  in  the  conduct  of  her  diplomacy,  I  cannot  but  be- 
lieve that  she  would  withdraw  from  the  contest  overwhelmed  by  the  force 
of  argument  which  she  caimot  refute. 

But  there  are  some  who  admit  that  Great  Britain  cannot  maintain  her 
claims  to  the  territory  in  dispute  upon  tbe  grounds  to  which  I  have  referred, 
who  yet  insist  iliat  she  may  extend  her  possessions  in  that  region  upon  the 
principle  of  continuity  of  dornain.  What  right  has  Great  Britain  to  set  up 
a  claim  to  Oregon  on  the  ground  of  continuity  of  territory  ?  Is  the  seat  of 
her  sovereignty  on  this  continent  ?  No  ;  her  possessions  here  and  her  rights 
here  are  colonial.  This  continent  is  the  seat  of  our  empire.  In  this  view, 
the  venerable  gentleman  from  Massachusetts,  (Mr.  Adams,)  and  all  who 
have  examined  the  subject  will,  I  am  sure,  concur,  and  they  will  bear  me 
out  in  saying,  that  this  ought  to  outweigh  every  other  consideration  in  a  ques- 
tion of  this  character.  The  seat  of  England's  sovereignty  is  across  the  At- 
lantic. Holding  here  only  colonial  possessions,  she  seeks  to  extend  them 
further,  when  neither  the  compactness  nor  the  security  of  her  empire 
lires  it,  and  when  her  claims  come  in  conflict  with  those  of  a  nation, 
holding  their  original  sovereignty  on  this  continent. 

If,  then,  our  title  to  the  territory  of  Oregon  is  clear,  the  next  question 
which  presents  itself  is  as  to  our  wisest  course  to  perfect  that  title.  What 
course  ought  w^e  to  take  to  secure  the  possession  of  that  which  is  ours  by 
title?  In  my  judgment,  and  I  make  the  assertion  with  profound  defe- 
rence to  the  opinions  of  others,  "inactivity"  is  no  longer  "masterly."  I 
xt^QOi  M ,  inactivity  is  no  longer  masterly .  There  are  occasions  when ,  to 
save  what  is  dear  to  us,  it  becomes  necessary  to  act  promptly — to  act  with, 
decision,  and  to  act  immediately,  is  often  the  only  way  to  act  with  efTect.. 
I  do  not  see  that  we  have  any  course  left  but  to  act,  whether  we  regard  the 
perpetuity  of  peace  or  the  possession  of  the  territory  in  dispute.  If  we 
would  avoid  war,  we  must  have  the  causes  of  war  passed  upon  and  settled .  It 
is  not  always  by  adjourning  over  great,  and  difficult,  and  delicate  questions,, 
that  war  can  be  avoided .  Our  condition  in  regard  to  Oregon  is  such  as  to 
d«mand  action — intelligent,  prompt,  decisive,  comprehensive  action.  If 
we  should  leave  this  question  open, in  the  present  state  of  the  two  countries ;» 
who  can  avoid  seeing  that  war  is  inevitable  ? 

When  Lord  Ashburton  returned  to  England ,  after  having  successfully 
arranged  the  difficulties  about  the  northeastern  boundary,  and  was  congrat- 
ulated in  the  British  Parliament  on  his  success,  I  believe  that  experienced 


ord  a  moral 
nd  bless  the 

f  tlint  every 
itiide  42°  to 
y  portion  of 

0  make  any 
ution  in  the 
proper  that 

y  in  adjust- 
s  functions., 
our  title  to 
ossal  power 
accustomed 
not  but  be- 
jy  tlie  force 

laintain  her 
ve  referred, 
)n  upon  the 
in  to  set  up 
i  tlie  seat  of 
id  her  rights 

1  this  view, 
md  all  who 
nil  bear  me 
n  in  a  ques- 
ross  the  At- 
xtend  them 

her  empire 
3f  a  natioa 

xt  question 
tie.  What 
is  ours  by 
bund  defe- 
sterly."  I 
s  when ,  to. 
-to  act  with, 
vith  effect- 
regard  the 
ite.  If  we 
settled.  It 
!  questions,, 
such  as  to 
action .  If 
►  countries  j> 

uccessfully 
as  congrat- 
xperienced 


statesman  said  that  the  national  sky  was  then  clear  and  without  a  cloud , 
saving  one  minute  speck  upon  the  horizon,  wliich  he  did  not  doubt  would 
soon  disappear.  But  how  has  his  prediction  been  fulfilled?  That  little 
speck,  then  no  bigger  than  a  man's  hand,  and  scarce  perceptible  on  the  far- 
off  margin  of  the  heavens,  has  since  become  a  dark,  and  lowering,  and  por- 
tentous cloud;  it  has  swept  over  the  face  of  the  sky,  and  hangs  all  over  our 
northwestern  frontier,  gloomy  as  night.  The  whole  aspect  of  the  question 
is  changed;  and,  if  we  wish  now  to  maintain  our  po.sition  as  the  friends  of 
peace ,  it  is  time  we  awoke  to  action .  We  must  assert  our  rights ;  we  nmst 
shun  a  temporizing  policy;  we  must  adopt  vigorous  measures,  and  carry 
them  to  the  very  farthest  verge  to  which  they  ran  be  maintained  without 
a  violation  of  the  terms  of  the  convention.  Otherwise,  we  shall  find  that 
the  population  of  the  two  nations  intermixing  in  that  remote  territory,  car- 
rying with  them  the  prejudices  and  the  heat  of  the  contending  parties,  pro- 
tected by  and  amenable  to  conflicting  jurisdictions,  entering  into  the  eager 
competition  of  trade — will,  at  no  (Mstant  day,  precipitate  us  into  a  war  with 
Great  Britain. 

Nor,  sir,  is  the  danger  of  war  all  that  is  involved  in  the  adjournment  of 
this  question;  we  incur  the  danger  of  losing  the  territory  altogether.  And 
why  do  1  think  so?  From  the  whole  colonial  history  of  the  British  em- 
pire. There  was  a  time  when  Spain  possessed  great  and  extensive  colonies, 
but  they  have  dwindled  away.  There  was  a  time  when  Prance  could 
boast  of  her  colonies,  but  they  have  dwindled  away.  There  was  a  time 
when  Holland  swept  the  seas  with  her  fleets,  and  held  important  colonial 
pos!?essions,  but  they  have  dwindled  away.  In  the  mean  time  '  !reat  Britain 
has  gone  on,  growing  in  strength,  extending  her  power,  and  spreading  her 
armies  abroad ,  into  every  part  of  the  habitable  world .  Her  language ,  her 
laws,  her  military  prowess,  fill  both  hemispheres,  while  slie  has  belted  the 
globe  with  her  fortresses,  to  say  nothing  of  her  colonies.  The  British  peo- 
ple and  their  Government  well  understand  the  managemer'  of  colonies. 
When  in  Europe,  a  short  time  since,  a  distinguished  British  diplomatist 
said  to  me,  ''Sir,  France  does  not  understand  how  to  manage  colonies;  we 
do  understand  it;"  and  he  spoke  the  truth.  Since  the  year  1609,  Great 
Britain  has  acquired  no  less  than  forty-one  colonies,  twenty-four  of  which 
she  has  obtained  by  setdement,  nine  by  capitulation,  and  eight  by  cession. 
In  the  possession  of  Oregon,  she  seeks  to  plant  herself  there  permanently, 
and  is  employing  all  her  power  and  all  her  skill  to  establish  her  authority, 
over  the  greater  part  of  Jhat  region. 

At  Willamette  Falls,  in  latitude  45°  20',  there  is  a  prosperous  and  grow- 
ing settlement;  a  factory,  established  by  the  Hudson's  Bay  company,  is  in 
operation  there,  under  the  control  of  Dr.  McLaughlin,  factor  to  that  com- 
pany, and  whose  co-partner  is  Her  Majesty's  magistrate  for  that  district. 
This  setdement,  sometimes  called  Oregon  city,  is  under  the  influence  of  this 
Dr.  McLaughlin,  a  man  of  fine  person,  of  finished  and  winning  manners, 
of  great  wealth  and  unbounded  hospitality — an  intelligent  man,  long  ex- 
perienced in  business,  and  well  informed  on  all  subjects  connected  with  his 
position.  Under  the  auspices  of  such  an  individual ,  have  we  not  reason 
to  expect  that  Great  Britain  will  go  on  to  plant  herself  in  the  possession  and 
occupancy  of  the  country  in  such  a  manner  that  we  cannot  expel  her,  at 
least  not  without  a  severe  struggle  ? 

If  we  refuse  to  protect  the  thousands  of  our  own  citizens  who  are,  and 


8 


tlie  multiiiule  more  who  soon  will  he,  in  Oregon , amy  they  not  conclude,  oa 
tliey  uie  neglected  hy  their  own  Government,  to  throw  off  their  allegiance 
ancl  go  over  to  a  government  which  never  refuses  and  never  forgets  to  pro- 
tect its  citizens  in  every  part  of  the  world  ?  Tiieir  right  to  do  so  is  a  recog- 
nised principle  of  international  law.  If  the  Government  refuses  its  pro- 
tection, citizens  may  throw  off  their  allegiance,  and  transfer  themselves  to 
the  jurisdiction  of  a  government  that  will  do  its  duty.  Or,  they  may  de- 
termine to  set  up  for  themselves,  and  rear  an  independent  and  rival  govern- 
ment. Under  these  circumstances,  I  am  decidedly  in  favor  of  extending 
to  them  our  laws  and  protection. 

I  propose  now,  sir,  to  consider  the  action  we  should  take  in  carrying  out 
this  important  policy;  and  first,  as  to  this  question  of  notice.  I  think  we 
ought  at  once  to  provide  for  giving  the  notice  so  often  referred  to  in  this  de- 
bate; nay,  I  think  we  nuist  do  it.  Yet,  I  am  not  for  doing  it,  either  in  the 
form  proposed  in  the  bill  reported  by  the  honorable  chairman  of  the  Com- 
mittee on  Territories,  (Mr.  Douglass,)  or  in  the  resolution  more  recently 
reported  by  the  distinguished  chairman  of  the  Conunittee  on  Foreign  Affairs. 
It  is  my  misfortune  to  differ  in  opinion  from  both ,  and  it  is  my  purpose ,  before 
resuming  my  seat,  to  oh';:r  an  amendment,  striking  out  in  the  resolution  the 
words  which  refer  to  giving  this  notice  by  a  joint  act  of  both  Houses, 
and  inserting  a  provision ,  empowering  the  President  of  the  United  States  to 
give  such  notice,  when,  in  his  opinion, the  public  welfare  shall  requrie  it.  I 
was  at  first  inclined,  with  the  gendeman  from  Kentucky  near  me,  (Mr. 
Davis,)  to  consider  the  giving  of  this  notice  as  an  exercise  of  the  Executive 
power  with  which  the  House  had  nothing  to  do;  but,  on  further  reflection, 
I  have  changed  that  opinion.  It  is  very  true, that  the  formation  of  such  a 
convention  is  an  exercise  of  the  treaty-making  power;  but  it  does  not, 
therefore,  follow,' that  the  dissolving  the  convention  must  be  the  exclusive 
act  of  that  power.  Tliat  is  a  different  question — because  the  ''Govern- 
ment of  the  United  States,"  according  to  the  terms  of  the  convention,  was 
one  of  the  high  contracting  parties;  and  of  that  Government,  this  House, 
as  well  as  the  President  and  Senate,  constitute  a  part.  Yet  there  are  grave 
reasons  why  Congress,  instead  of  taking  the  power  into  its  own  hands, 
should  lodge  it  in  the  hands  of  the  President.  I  shall  not  be  suspected 
of  a  disposition  to  increase,  unnecessarily,  the  power  of  the  President;  but 
1  am  willing  to  give  the  present  Executive  the  power  which  he  asks  in  this 
matter.  I  am  forgiving  to  the  Executive  all  the  energy  and  efficiency  which 
he  requires  to  act  in  a  matter  of  this  kind.  The  country  has  placed  the 
President  where  he  is,  and  the  responsibility  is  hie.  When  the  Govern- 
ment of  Great  Britain  learns  that  he  is  clothed  with  this  power,  they  will 
comprehend  what  a  mighty  element  it  is,  and  will  be  the  more  inclined  to 
act  with  deference  to  him  and  to  us.  It  seems  to  me,  that  all  the  friends  of 
peace  in  the  House  should  consent  to  such  an  arrangement.  It  has  been 
said,  very  generally,  that  negotiations  have  been  renewed  at  London. 

[Mr.  C.J.  IxGERSoLL,  chairman  of  the  Committee  of  Foreign  Affairs. 
That  is  not  a  fact.     They  have  not  been  renewed.] 

If  not,  they  may  yet  be.  I  trust  they  will  be.  I  am  for  multiplying  the 
chances  for  adjustment  and  peace.  The  President  will  have  the  whole  field 
before  him,  and  I  am  for  lodging  w^ith  him  this  great  element  of  negotiation. 
As  proposed  by  the  bill  from  the  "Committee  on  Territories,  and  by  the 
resolution  now  under  consideration,  the  notice  is  made  absolute — it  goes 


Ibrth 
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given 
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Irom 
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m 


9 


)t  conclude,  as 

^leir  allegiance 

forgets  to  pro- 

>  80  is  a  recog- 

jfiises  its  pro- 

themselves  to 

they  may  de- 

1  rival  govern- 

of  extending 

m  carrying  out 
.  I  think  we 
I  to  in  this  de- 
,  either  in  the 
I  of  the  Com- 
inore  recently 
oreign  Affairs. 
Lirpose,  before 
resolution  the 
both  Houses, 
lited  States  to 
I  requrie  it.  I 
ear  me,  (Mr. 
he  Executive 
ler  reflection, 
ion  of  sHch  a 
it  does  not, 
the  exclusive 
le  "  Govern- 
ivention ,  was 
this  House, 
lere  are  grave 
own  hands, 
30  suspected 
resident;  but 

asks  in  this 
iency  which 

placed  the 
the  Govern - 
er,  they  will 
e  inclined  to 
he  friends  of 
It  has  been 
lOndon. 
eign  Affairs. 

liplying  the 
whole  field 
negotiation . 
and  by  the 
ite — it  goes 


forth  in  a  hostile  shape ,  and  no  choice  is  left  to  the  President  as  to  timea 
And  seasons,  which  are  often  matters  of  great  importance.    The  power,  if 

S'ven  ds  I  propose  it,  will  be  quite  as  effectual  as  if  exercised  absolutely  by 
e  House;  yet  it  will  leave  to  the  wisdom. and  discretion  of  the  Executive 
the  selection  of  the  manner  and  time  of  giving  the  notice.  It  imposes  or. 
llim  no  responsibility  which  any  Executive  ought  to  wish  to  shun.  It  places 
him  in  a  grand  position,  invested  with  ample  power,  conferred  by  the  con- 
idence  of  his  country,  and  it  opens  before  him  the  opportunity  of  accom- 
Ij^lishing  great  good  for  the  nation  and  for  the  world. 

I  wish  to  present  another  view.  I  desire  the  adoption  of  a  different  plan 
ifrom  that  which  has  been  reported  from  the  Committee  on  Territories,  asto 
ttie  extension  of  our  laws  over  Oregon .  It  is  a  part  of  the  plan  proposed  by 
die  committee,  to  make  donations  of  land  to  actual  settlers,  and  this, while 
the  convention  still  continues  in  force;  this  I  cannot  but  consider  as  a  viola- 
tion of  the  spirit  of  that  instrument.  I  do  not  think  so  as  to  the  principle 
of  settlement — our  people  may  go  to  that  country  in  any  numbers,  and  they 
Ought  to  be  protected.  The  bill  provides,  too,  for  the  extension  of  tlie  laws  of 
Ibwa  over  Oregon.  This  will  be  a  mere  nominal  extension  of  jurisdiction,  and 
will  result  in  no  practical  good.  It  will  serve  only  to  make  the  settlers  in  that 
rfemote  district  of  country  acquainted  with  our  laws  by  their  threatenings,but 
the  measure  can  afford  them  no  efficient  protection .  I  should  prefer  the  estab- 
Itehment  of  a  territorial  government,  so  orgari.z<  .1  as  not  to  conflict  with  the 
provisions  of  the  Convention.  My  plan  would  )  e  to  senil  them  out  a  gov- 
ernor, a  sagacious,  prudent,  experienced,  can  ious  man,  who  would  be  able 
t6  sweep  the  whole  field  with  his  eye,  and  give  information  and  counsel  to 
the  Government  here  as  to  what  was  doing,  and  what  ought  to  be  done. 
If  any  crentleman  doubts  our  power  to  establish  such  a  government  over  the 
whole  of  the  territory,  or  apprehends  collision  with  ti)e  British  authorities, 
then,  I  say,  place  your  governor  south  of  the  Columbia  river;  that,  at 
iiast,  is  a  portion  of  the  territory  which,  I  presu.ne,  no  gentleman  in  the 
House  is  prepared  to  surrender.  The  language  of  every  one  here,  I  doubt 
riot,  will  be  like  that  of  the  poet: 

J  "  And  many  a  banner  shall  be  torn, 

And  many  a  knight  to  !;;round  be  borne, 
And  many  a  sheaf  of  shafts  be  spent, 
Ere  Scotland's  king  shall  cross  the  Trent." 

The  officers  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  company  are  there,  and  British  magis- 
"tl^tes  of  some  description  are  there  also ;  why  should  not  our  officers  and 
vpiir  magistrates  be  there  too?  Will  not  their  authority  carry  with  it  respect 
f^  the  American  laws  and  Government? 

V  Besides  the  measure  which  I  have  just  been  considering,  certain  resolu- 
tions have  been  introduced  here,  which  I  desire  for  a  moment  to  refer  to. 
Those  offered  by  the  gentleman  from  Massachusetts,  (Mr.  Wi^throp,) 
which  look  to  the  adjustment  of  the  Oregon  dispute  without  war,  I  certainly 
admire.  The  spirit  in  which  they  are  presented  calls  for  my  profoundest  re- 
spect, and  I  hail  them  as  the  exponent  of  the  sentiment  of  an  enlightened 
aQd  Christian  age;  and  yet  I  cannot  vote  for  them.  In  my  humble  judg- 
ig^nt,  the  matter  to  which  they  refer — the  mode  of  adjusting  a  pending 
political  question — belongs  to  another  branch  of  this  Government,  and  their 
s^option  by  us  might  seriously  interfere  with  the  exercise  of  its  functions. 
All  to  the  counter  resolution  introduced  by  the  gentleman  from  Illinois, 


10 


(Mr.  Douglass,)  I  am  decidedly  opposed  to  it.  It  declares  that  the  whol^gg  ^q 
of  Oregon  is  ours,  up  to  parallel  64°  40',  and  is  intended  to  commit  tliiqp  jggjj 
House  against  any  negotiation  which  bringsi  us  less  tlian  that  extent  of  ter-  4 
ritory.  Now,  I  have  already  stated  my  personal  conviction  as  to  the  extent  t 
of  our  rights,  but  I  will  not  consent  to  express  any  legislative  opinion  on  a  J 
matter  which  clearly  belongs  to  another  department.  I  am  for  giving  the  1 
Executive  full  discretion  and  the  amplest  scope.  This  is  no  party  question  j 
— it  s'vceps  beyond  all  such  considerations,  and,  in  the  measures  connected  t 
with  ii,  party  feelings  and  influences  should  be  far  from  every  mind.  The  |  Pea( 
country  is  in  a  crisis.  I  feel  it  to  be  a  crisis;  and  I  am  ready  to  say,  God^ason 
speed  !  to  the  man  who  shall  carry  us  honorably  and  safely  through  it !  At  anMirsuii 
hour  like  this  I  will  vote  for  no  resolutions  embodying  opinions  on  the  oneSould 
hand  or  the  other.  Let  the  Government  take  ground  which  is  impregnable  .If  it  si 
and  maintain  it  with  a  firmness  that  sliall  command  respect.  ijf  our 

And  now,  sir,  I  am  met  with  the  question,  "Suppose  these  measures**  Let 
should  lead  to  war?"     I  do  not  think  they  will  lead  to  wai*;  they  ought^r.  A 
not.    But  we  are  not  at  liberty ,  in  this  matter,  to  turn  away  from  a  just  con-iie  of 
sideration  of  the  national  rights  and  the  national  honor,  to  look  at  conse-jjightl 
quences.    We  are  going" onward,  as  we  should,  protecting  our  own  citizens.j^ni ; 
We  are  following  the  example  of  the  Republic  of  Rome,  which  caused  RoM#ch  a 
man  law  to  prevail,  and  the  ajgis  of  Roman  protection  to  be  extended ^r  ir 
wherever  Roman  citizens  passed.    I  abhor  war.    Reviews  have  no  charms c^me 
for  me.    The  detailed  history  of  battles,  and  all  the  slaughters  of  victory,  doelt  poi 
but  disgust  me,     I  never  look  with  admiration  upon  scenes  like  these;  unless  tlhich 
it  is  when  I  see  a  brave  and  suffenng  people,  borne  down  by  oppression. flight 
rising  up,  with  united  heart,  to  bear  back  their  oppressors.  glls  p 

In  regard  to  the  lust  of  conquest,  which  has  been  spoken  of  as  being  gtount 
a  derogation    to   our  national  character,  I   am  ready  to  confess   that  lt#5t,  I 
have  heard  with  regret  the  language  held  by  some  gentlemen  here  aboui  j^lendi 
pushing  forward  our  acquisitions,  and  planting  the  American  eagle  on  va-Md  teni 
rious  points  of  this  continent,  and  all  over  the  world.     The  expression  ol  l|fi  a  j 
such  sentiments  is  the  very  course  to  arm  all  the  world  against  us.     The  n 
French  revolution  has  operated  more  than  all  other  things  to  disgrace  and  '-f  i^ 
overthrow  all  republican  ideas  in  Europe.     And  why?    Because  the  li'siv^yg^, 
of  conquest  which  grew  out  of  and  accompanied   that  revolution  rost\_ji       ■ 
so  high  as  to  becpme  a  terror  to  the  world.    France — republican  France—  ^g,.r 
sent  her  armies  abroad  in  every  direction.    Their  movements  evinced  the  ^     r 
highest  military  skill,  and  were  followed  every  where  by  the  most  splendid  Byig.. 
victories,  until  French  valor  was  at  once  the  admiration  and  the  dread  of 
all  surrounding  nations,  and  the  name  of  France  was  like  the  sound  of  a 
trumpet  to  the  remotest  bounds  of  the  world.    But  what  was  the  effect?  A 
terrible  retribution.    And  the  memory  of  those  conquests,  and  those  costly 
victories,  is  now  so  linked  to  the  notion  of  republicanism  in  Europe  thai 
nothing  can  break  the  association .    Republican  ideas  must  struggle  up  for  |^f  ja|^, 
half  a  century  before  they  can  reach  the  position  they  held  in  Europe  before  ^jje^j 
that  great  convulsion.     I  wish  for  nothing  of  the  kind  among  us.     I  de- 
precate every  indication  of  such  a  spirit.    I  believe  our  system  of  Govern- 
ment to  be  the  wisest,  and  our  institutions  the  happiest,  which  the  wc/id 
ever  saw  ;  and  regarding  as  I  do  the  happiness  of  my  race,  I  hope  they 
will  spread  throughout  mankind  ;  but  let  them  spread  by  their  own  inhereii! 
moral  power,  until  the  happiness  they  produce  shall  create  a  spectacle  for 


ii 


3  that  the  whole^  world  to  see  and  to  admire.    Let  this  be  the  triumph  of  my  country, 
to  commit  uii^(jggjj.g  jjgj.  iQ  realize  the  prophetic  description  of  Arc!  .bishop  Cranmer — 

Lt  extent  of  ter-  4  u  wherever  the  bright  sun  of  heaven  shall  shine 

as  to  the  extent  l  Her  honor  and  the  greatness  of  her  name 

Shall  be,  and  make  new  nations;  she  shall  flourish, 

And,  like  a  mountain  cedar,  reach  her  branches 

To  all  the  plains  about  her — 

Our  children's  children  shall  see  this, 

And  bless  Heaven." 


ve  opmion  on  a 
for  giving  the 
D  party  question 
sures  connected 
ry  mind.  The 
dy  to  say,  Goi 
rough  it !  At 
ons  on  the  on 


Peaceful  triumphs  alone  are  those  which  I  seek—  the  benign  victories  of 
son  and  truth.  These  I  desire,  and  none  other.  If,  however,  while 
rsuing  such  a  policy — a  policy  wise,  vigorous,  but  conciliatory,  war 
onld  come  upon  us,  I  trust  the  country  will  be  prepared  to  meet  it. 
is  impregnable  J|  it  should  come  upon  us  as  the  result  of  a  moderate  but  firm  assertion 
<j|  our  national  rights,  the  response  in  every  American  bosom  must  be, 
these  measures<«  Let  it  come."  The  venerable  gentleman  from  Mnssachusetts  near  me,, 
m;  they  ought01r.  Adams.)  in  tones  which  rang  on  my  heart  like  a  trumpet,  reminded 
from  a  justcon-ri|e  of  the  days  of  our  revolutionary  glory.  The  old  fire  which  blazed  so 
look  at  conset|ightly  in  that  ever  memorable  struggle,  seemed  to  be  flashing  up  within 
ir  own  citizens.^m  ;  and,  whilst  I  listened  to  his  patriotic  strains,  1  .felt  assured  that  in 
lich  caused  Ro  i#ch  a  cause  we  should  all  act  as  one  man .  If  we  should  go  into  the 
o  be  extended ^r  in  this  spirit,  I  should  feel  little  anxiety  as  to  how  we  should 
iiave  no  charms ^rne  out  of  it.  The  power  of  England  is  fast  culminating  to  its  high- 
rs  of  victory,  do clt  point.  It  must  soon  reach  that  climax  in  the  history  of  nations  from 
ke  these;  unless  #hich  they  have,  one  after  another,  commenced  their  decline;  and  she 
by  oppression. ^ight  not  to  enter  into  a  contest  with  a  great  Power.  If  wise  coun- 
sels prevail,  she  will  not.  Yet,  if  she  should  be  so  irrational,  on  the 
en  of  as  being gjfound  of  such  a  controversy  as  that  of  Oregon,  to  rush  into  such  a  con- 
confess  that  Itifst,  I  trust  that  she  will  be  driven  back  from  these  shores  shorn  of  her 
len  here  about  i^lendor  ;  and  she  may  be  very  sure  that  when  this  happens,  it  will  prove 
n  eagle  on  va-  tgo  temporary  eclipse,  but  will  endure  for  all  time  to  come;  and  she  will  be 
e  expression  ol  ||ft  a  portent  in  the  political  heavens, 

xmst  us.       1  he    ^l  u  Siiedding  disastrous  twilight  over  half  the  nations." 

to  disgrace  and  f  ^^^^^^^  ^^^  power— I   know  the  multitude  of  her  fleets— I   know  the 
pcause  tne  iusi|^ygi.y  j^j^^i  digeipUne  of  her  armies  :  but,  in  a  war  thus  brought  upon  us,. 
:     ^""""  ^"='^  Tj^e  ought  not  to  waste  a  moment  in  looking  at  these    We  ought  to  feel  con- 
^\\    ^^"^  "^  ^"^  position — confident  in  our  resources — «onfident  m  the  patriot- 
its  evinced  the  ^^  ^^  ^^^  people— and,  above  all,  confident  in  the  blessing  of  the  great 
most  splenau  Juler  of  nations.     With  these,  and  with  a  just  cause,  I  feel  that  this  coun- 
,  f  read  ol  |L^  jg  j^j^jg  ^^  j.ggjgj.         attack  ;  and  I  am  confident  tliat  we  should  be  good 

the  sound  of  a  ITainst  a  world  in  arms. 


^But  I  am  admonished  by  the  clock  that  I  must  hasten  to  some  other  topicsr 


i  the  efifect?  i 

nd  those  costlj  ^^  ^^^  ^^^^,„ 

n  tiurope  thai  ;  j  ^^,  invite  gentlemen  to  (urn  their  attention,  for  a  moment,  to  the  im- 
stiuggle  wp  lot  i^ftance  of  Oregon,  for  I  believe  that  its  intrinsic  importance  has  been  over- 
Hiurope  Delore  f|^ked  or  much  undervalued.  And,  fir^t,  looking  at  it  in  apolitical  view,, 
must  be  admitted  to  be  of  great  value  to  us.  England  has  a  frontier  to 
le  north  of  us  extending  three  thousand  miles,  and  stretching  entirely  across 
i  continent.  If  we  permit  her  lo  come  from  that  line  some  five  hundred 
les  down  the  coast  of  the  Pacific,  we  shall  give  her  the  opportunity  of 
ing  up  the  only  break  which  now  exists  in  that  line  of  continuous  for- 
alion  with  which  her  energy  and  vast  resources  have  encompassed  the 
[bbe.     Why  is  it  that  she  presses  with  sj  mrich  euniestness  and  pertinacity 


mg  us.  I  de- 
em of  Govern- 
lich  the  wc.id 
u,  I  hope 'they 
r  own  inherent 
a  spectacle  for 


12 


4',' 


iSt 

far 

\eo.d\ 

hoi 

16  0\ 

to 

Ir., 
;ist| 
no| 

lint^ 
coi 

I  hj 


for  a  strip  of  land  along  our  western  borders?    Is  it  the  soil?    Is  it  the  trade 
No.     She  could  enjoy  the  trade  if  the  territory  was  ours;  and  it  certainl^ 
would  be  in  that  view  better  to  resign  a  strip  of  territory  than  to  lose  a  goo^ 
neighbor.    These,  however,  are  not  the  considerations  which  make  her  s^ 
anxious  and  so  persevering.     It  is  the  political  value  of  the  territory  whiclf 
with  her  accustomed  sagacity,  she  sees  and  appreciates.     Statesmen  ouglr 
not  to  bound  their  view  by  things  which  are  at  the  moment  within  th^ 
range  of  their  eyes.    They  ought  to  lift  their  vision,  until  it  embraces  thj 
broad  field  which  belongs  to  the  future  also.     This  the  British  statesmen 
are  in  the  habit  of  doing;  and  we,  if  we  are  wise,  will  follow  their  ej| 
ample.     Before  we  count  the  value  of  Oregon,  we  must  look  across  thi 
Pacific,  and  estimate  that  trade  with  China  and  the  eastern  Archipelago  ^ 
which  is  soon  to  open  upon  us  in  all  its  riches,  grandeur,  and  magnifl*  " 
cence.     As  things  now  exist,  our  vessels,  returning  from  the  ports  0*^^*^ 
eastern  Asia,  have,  as  it  were,  to  run  the  gauntlet  through  a  long  line  c^X  ^ 
British  naval  posts,  from  which  they  are  exposed  to  attack.    Her  numeroiCT"^"^ 
naval  stations  enable  her  to  keep  her  fleets  in  every  sea,  and  however  wide'*!^" 
ly-spread  this  eastern  commerce  may  be,  and  however  inestimable  its  value"^.  ^^ 
it  is  subject  in  a  moment  to  be  arrested.     But,  if  we  establish  our  posts  anr^'^"^^ 
plant  our  settlements  on  the  shores  of  the  Pacific,  our  commerce  will  flo^  ^^ 
in  comparative  safety  over  the  tranquil  bosom  of  thot  wide-spread  oceaii^^^ 
Surely,  in  this  view  of  the  subject,  it  would  be  poor  policy  in  us  to  yieli^  '  . 
what  is  essential  to  the  prosperity  of  our  commerce  in  that  part  of  the  world^*^ 

Again:  I  regard  this  controversy  respecting  Oregon  as  a  national  question'x?''^® 
in  the  strictest  sense  of  the  term.  I  differed  from  some  of  my  Whig  friend^^  P*^' 
respecting  the  annexation  of  Texas,  for  I  viewed  it,  as  I  view  this,  as  a  na**"^^^ 
tional  question.  In  adopting  my  conclusions,  and  in  conforming  to  their 
my  course  of  action  in  relation  to  that  important  subject,  I  was  not  consciou 
of  one  particle  of  selfish  feeling.  What  I  did ,  I  did  for  my  country ,  for  th 
whole  country,  for  the  welfare  and  aggrandizement  «f  this  nation.  I  w 
in  Europe  when  that  question  was  first  agitated,  and  witnessed  the  jea'S 
lousies  of  European  cabinets  in  regard  to  it,  and  tlie'ir  intrigues  and  coniT^ 
binations  to  defeat  the  annexation,  and  I  felt  my  American  blood  roused  :i^  ^^ 
the  spectacle.  I  look  on  Oregon  in  just  the  same  way;  with  us  it  is  n- v. 
Northern ,  no  Southern  question .    I  have  come  up  here  as  a  national  repre   -  "  ^ 


r( 


sentative.     True,  I  cannot  whollv  divest 


mvself  of  feelings  which 


.Vt^hile 


wert  a^ , 
born  with  me,  and  of  early  memories,  which  nothing  can  efface;  but,  Got^ 
helping  me,  I  intend  to  do  strict  and  equal  justice  to  all 

In  my  course  in  this  Hall,  I  shall  look  alone  to  the  national  aggrandize 
ment,  and  the  national  glory.     And  I  know  well,  that  in  such  a  course  th 
people  I  represent  will  sustain  me .     I  have  not  been  long  enough  their  re 
presentative  to  say,  with  John  Randolph,  that  no  man  ever  had  such  cotr^^'",' 
stituents;  but  I  have  lived  among  them,  and  know  them,  and  I  know  thev^^^  , 
will  sustain  me.     I  shall  enter  into  no  movement  of  a  merely  party  charaej^^. 
ter,  nor  shall  I  be  found  entering  irUo  a  combination  to  elevate  or  to  depress 4ti&. 
any  section  of  the  country  at  the  expense  of  another.     My  political  careei        * 
may  be  short,  and  the  accomplishment  may  fall  far  short  of  the  purpose,  buj 
the  conception  of  duty,  at  least,  shall  be  glorious;  and  if  an  earnest  effort  tc 
<;ome  up  to  it  constitutes  glory,  then  my  career,  long  or  short,  shall  be  glo 
rious.     Gentlemen  have  spoken  of  the  policy  of  President  Monroe,  who  de 
clared  to  the  nations  of  the  old  world ,  that  they  would  not  be  tolerated  in 
any  interference  with  the  balance  of  power  on  this  continent,  and  that  the} 


Is  it  the  trade 
and  it  certain^ 
in  to  lose  a  goo^ 
lich  maice  her 
territory  whicll 
Statesmen  ouglr 
nent  within  th^ 
it  embraces  tM 
Jritish  statesmen 
follow  their  e>l 
look  across  tliS 
srn  Archipelag(j 


\r,  and  magnili 


)m  the  ports 
h  a  long  line 

Her  numeroiil 
i  however  wid 
imable  its  value' 
sh  our  posts  an 


13 

ist  estaL.ish  no  more  colonies  on  our  shores.    I  am  in  favor  of  this  policy, 

far  as  it  can  with  justice  be  carried  out.     Where  European  nations  have 

[eady  possessions  on  this  continent,  they  should  be  suffered  to  hold  them 

ihout  molestation ;  JUt  we  may  well  oppose  their  planting  new  colonies  in 

Is  our  western  world .    The  honor  of  this  sentiment,  however,  it  is  but 

to  say,  belongs,  justly,  as  much  to  the  gentleman  from  Massachusetts , 
T.  Adams,)  as  it  does  to  Mr.  Monroe;  for, although  the  latter  was  the  Chief 

istrate,  the  former  was  at  the  same  time  Secretary  of  State,  and  if  he 

not  suggest,  he  certainly  sanctioned  the  policy.    The  present  Executive 
lintains  the  same  doctrine;  and,  I  doubt  not   the  whole  country  will  hear- 

come  into  it. 
I  have  some  facts  bearing  ujxin  the  cmnmercial  value  of  Oregon  to  us, 

England  and  the  United  Stales  are  the 


srhich  I  deem  of  the  first  moment. 


ly  competitors  for  the  trade  of  southern  China;  the  trade  of  the  northern 
tion  of  China  is  in  the  hands  of  the  Russians,  and  is  mainly  conducted 
an  annual  fair  held  at  Kiachta,  lasting  for  about  two  months,  at  which 
traders  of  the  two  nations  assemble  and  carry  on  their  commercial  trans- 
ions;  but  south  China  is  in  the  hands  of  England  and  this  country,  who 
imerce  will  flo^^  competitors  for  the  profits  of  the  trade.  England  imports  every  year  four 
de-spread  oceairS'^^'^^^^  ^^^  ^^"^^  thousand  chests  of  tea,  while  we  import  two  hundred  thou- 
cv  in  us  to  vieli^^'  besides  mushns  and  silks,  and  other  commodities  of  great  value, 
lart  of  the  world  -^^  ^^'®  gainful  traffic  England  regards  us  a  rival  power,  and  she  is  by  no 
*  ans  disposed  to  give  it  up.  The  coast  of  Oregon  fronts  that  of  China, 
d  presents  great  facilities  for  carrying  on  this  important  branch  of  our  com- 
rce.  Fully  to  avail  ourselves,  however,  of  these  advantages,  we  ought 
^connect  Oregon  with  the  State  of  Missouri  by  the  construction  of  a  rail- 
d.  This  is  not  so  wild  and  visionary  a  scheme  as  at  the  first '  lew  some 
tlemen  may  be  disposed  to  consider  it. 

et  them  reflect  that  it  is  but  about  fifteen  years  since  Mr.  Huskisson  lost 
life  in  an  experimental  trip,  between  Liverpool  and  Manchester,  over 
first  railroad  ever  constructed  in  England.    And  what  is  she  doing  in 


ational  questiou*- 

iiy  Whig  friend' 

ew  this,  as  a  naf' 

orming  to  then 

as  not  con  scion 

country ,  for  th' 

nation.     I  Wc 

nessed  the  jea 

igues 


and  com 


blood  roused 
'ith  us   it 


system  now  ?    And  then  look  on  the  continent,  and  see  already  corn- 


national  reDre'^®"^^'^^^^"  hundred  miles,  entirely  across  Europe, 
'•s'^  which  wert^'^'^*^  another  line  will  presently  extend  from  the  i 


gs 
face 


jg  j^pleted  a  large  part  of  one  continuous  line  of  railroad ,  which  is  to  stretch  out 

'^  from  Odessa  to  Bremen; 

wcK    '  *  "  Adriatic  for  near  a  thou- 

but   Goi**^^  miles.    And  yet  some  gentlemen  stand  and  look  aghast  when  any  one 

'       sroaks  of  a  railroad  across  our  continent,  as  if  it  were  something  wondrous 

nal  affo-randize   -  "^  altogether  unheap'  of  before.     Should  such  a  road  be  constructed ,  it 

cli  acourse  tht^^  become  the  great  hi^hvvay  of  the  world;  we  shall  before  long  monopolize 

noufh  their  re       ^^^^^  of  the  eastern  coasts  of  Asia.   At  present,  it  is  stated  that  the  shortest 

had  such  coiiP^''^^^  voyage  from  London  to  Canton  occupies  seventy  days,  but  it  is  esti- 

1  \  know  thei*^^^  ^^^^  '"^"^^  ^  railroad  a  trjiveller  might  pass  from  London  to  Canton  in 

V  part V  charai     1  y  ^^^^ '  '^'^^^'^  '^  ^®  wildness ,  no  extravagance  in  the  idea ,  but  it  is  a  matter 

Ite  or  to  depres^d^'^^'^  ^^^^^  ^^^  P'^'*^  calculation.  Wh{\ta  magnificent  idea  does  it  present 

political  caree    •  *^^  mind,  and  who  can  calculate  the  results  to  which  it  will  lead  r  With 

•^"^^ute  so  short  and  so  direct  as  this,  might  we  not  reasonably  hope  to  com- 

,nd  both  the  trade  and  the  travel  of  the  world.    Engrafted  on  this  plan, 

as  its  natural  adjunct,  is  the  extension  of  a  magnetic  telegraph,  which 

follow  the  course  of  the  road;  unite  these  two,  and  where  is  the  im- 

ation  which  can  grasp  the  consequences  ?     Whale  ships,  returning  froni 


le  purpose,  bii 
earnest  effort  t( 
,  shall  be  glo 
onroe,  whode 
be  tolerated  ir 
I  and  that  they 


u 


I 


theif  long  and  hazardous  voyages,  might  touch  upon  the  Pacific  coast,  an 
instantly  transmit  across  the  continent  'idings  of  their  safety  and  their  success 
In  either  of  the  views  which  T  have  presented,  it  is  impossible  that  th 
importance  of  Oregon  can  be  overlooked .  I  trust  that  these  great  result 
'wiU  be  realized ,  and  I  hope  at  no  distant  day  to  see  a  mail  line  establishe 
across  the  continent.  England  has  very  recently  been  engaged  in  an  exper 
iment  in  ascertaining  the  shortest  overland  route  across  the  Continent  to  th 
East  Indies;  and  I  believe  the  Oriental  Steam  Company  has  determine, 
upon  that  through  Germany,  by  Trieste;  but  if  we  construct  this  railroad 
she  will  then  be  dependent  on  us  for  the  shortest  and  most  expeditious,  a 
well  as  the  safest  route  to  China  and  her  East  India  possessions.  Is  not  th 
language  of  Berkley  in  the  progress  of  fulfilment,  when  he  wrote  that  in: 
mortal  line — 

"Westward  the  dtar  of  empire  takes  its  way." 

When  Oregon  shall  be  in  our  possession ,  when  we  shall  have  establishe 
a  profitable  trade  with  China  through  her  ports,  when  our  ships  traverse  th 
Pacific  as  they  now  cross  the  Atlantic ,  and  all  the  countless  consequences  ( 
such  a  state  of  things  begin  to  flow  in  upon  us,  then  will  be  fulfilled  the 
vision  which  rapt  and  filled  the  mind  of  Nunez  as  he  gazed  over  the  placi 
waves  of  the  Pacific. 

I  will  now  address  myself  for  a  moment  lo  the  'moral  aspect  of  this  gret 
question.  Gentlemen  have  talked  much  and  eloquently  about  the  hororsf 
war.  I  should  regret  the  necessity  of  a  war;  I  should  deplore  its  dreadfi 
scenes;  but  if  the  possession  of  Oregon  gives  us  a  territory  opening  upc 
the  nation  prospects  such  as  I  now  describe,  and  if,  for  the  simple  exei 
cise  of  our  rights  in  regard  to  it,  Great  Britain  should  wage  upon  us  an  ur 
just  war,  the  regret  which  every  one  must  feel  will  at  least  have  much  i 
counterbalance  it.  One  of  England's  own  writers  has  said:  ''The  possibl 
destiny  of  the  United  States  of  America,  as  a  nation  of  one  hundred  mi 
lions  of  freemen,  stretching  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific,  living  undf 
the  laws  of  Alfred,  and  speaking  the  language  of  Shakspeare  and  Mihor 
is  an  august  conception. 

It  is  an  august  conception,  finely  embodied;  atid  I  trust  in  God  that 
will,  at  no  distant  time,  become  a  reality.  I  trust  that  the  world  will  set 
through  all  time,  our  people  living,  not  only  under  the  laws  of  Alfred,  bi 
that  they  will  be  heard  to  speak  throughout  our  wide-spread  borders  the  lai 
guage  of  Shakspeare  and  Milton .  Above  all  is  it  my  prayer  that ,  as  long  as  oi 
posterity  shall  continue  to  inhabit  these  mountains  and  plains,  and  hills  an 
valleys,  they  may  be  found  living  under  the  sacred  institutions  of  Chri 
tianity.  Put  these  things  together,  and  what  a  picture  do  they  present  to  t! 
mental  eye  !  Civilization  and  intelligence  started  in  the  East;  they  ha^ 
travelled  and  are  still  travelling  westward;  but  when  they  shall  have  ccii 
pleted  the  circuit  of  the  earth ,  and  reached  the  extremest  verge  of  the  P: 
cific  shores ;  then ,  unlike  the  fabled  god  of  the  ancients ,  who  dipped  li 
glowing  axle  in  the  western  wave,  they  will  there  take  up  their  permanei 
abode;  then  shall  we  enjoy  the  sublime  destiny  of  returning  these  bles 
ings  to  their  ancieni  seat ;  then  will  it  be  ours  to  give  the  priceless  beneti 
of  our  free  institutions,  and  the  pure  and  healthful  ligh:  of  the  Gospe 
back  to  the  dark  family  which  has  so  long  lost  both  truth  and  freedon 
then  may  Christianity  plant  herself  there,  and  while,  with  one  hand  sli 
points  to  the  Polynesian  isles,  rejoicing  in  the  late  recovered  treasure  of  r- 


4eale( 

f«ty 

llonoi 

§iem 

%ith  1 

ittayi 

l|atic>: 


'   Mr 
Cated 


'acific  coast;  ani 
md  their  success 
ipossible  that  th 
liese  great  result 

line  establishe 
ged  in  an  exper 
Continent  to  th 

has  determine 
ict  this  railroad 
t  expeditious,  a 
ons.  Is  not  th 
le  wrote  that  iii 


15 

tiealed  truth,  with  the  other  present  the  Bible  to  the  Chinese.    It  is  our 
iuty  to  aid  in  this  great  work.     I  trust  we  shall  esteem  i:  as  much  our 
onor  as  our  duty.    Let  us  not,  hke  some  of  the  British  ;m8sionaries,  give 
lem  the  Bible  in  one  hand  and  opium  in  the  other,  but  bless  them  only 
•with  the  pure  word  of  truth.     I  hope  the  day  is  not  distant — s(ion,80on 
Ipay  its  dawn  arise — to  shed  upon  the  farthest  and  the  most  benighted  of 
latic'is  the  splendor  of  more  than  a  tropical  sun. 


Mr.  HiLLiARD  closed  by  offering  an  amendment,  such  as  he  had  indi- 
iated  in  the  course  of  his  remarks. 


have  establishe 

ships  traverse  th 

consequences  ( 

be  fulfilled  the 

I  over  the  placi 

pect  of  this  gretl 
out  the  horors( 
)lore  its  dreadfi 
ry  opening  upo 
the  simple  exei 
!  upon  us  an  ue 
have  much 
"The  possibly 
ne  hundred  mi 
ic ,  living  unde 
are  and  Mihot 


i  in  God  that 
;  world  will  sef 
'8  of  Alfred ,  bi 
borders  the  lai 
at,  as  long  as  01 1 
IS,  and  hills  aii| 
utions  of  ChriJ 
ey  present  to  tL 
East;  they  ha^ 
shall  have  cw 
;erge  of  the  P 
ivho  dipped  li 
their  permanei 
ing  these  bles 
priceless  beneti 

of  the  Gospe 
1  and  freedon 

one  hand  sli 
I  treasure  of  r( 


